Friday, July 21, 2006
Campbell learning on fly in Minors
07/20/2006
ATLANTA -- Eric Campbell's journey through the Minors has been an adjustment. Well, it's been more like a journey of adjustments.
Last year, it was the batting stance; this year, it's his defensive position. The recently-converted third baseman has spent his first season for the Class A Rome Braves learning to manage the hot corner.
It's been a slow and frustrating process, he said, but one that he is determined to master.
Having handled the shortstop position for his entire playing career, Campbell was drafted with third base as a possibility when Atlanta selected him with the 71st overall pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. Campbell played shortstop last year in his first full Minor League season before he started his transition to third at the beginning of this year.
"I think it's a harder job, harder demand," said Campbell, who was ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Braves organization at the end of last season. "Being in the middle of the field, you can see the ball a lot better. [Third base] is more of a reaction. I don't think I've found a spot yet where I'm comfortable at all times."
Campbell is still searching for consistency at his new position, and it has not come as naturally as he had expected. Through the first 89 games this season, Campbell had 14 errors, partly due to a slower reaction time that plagued Campbell at his new position.
"If I can be consistent in the field, mentally, I think I'm going to be ready hitting-wise because that's always been my strong point," Campbell said. "So if I can get my fielding down consistent enough to be like a Chipper Jones without the experience he has, then yeah, that'll be the big thing."
The 20-year-old third baseman is right about his offensive productivity -- it has been a bragging point for Campbell and for the Braves. Campbell is following up his stellar Appalachian League season with a solid year for Rome, where he is batting .286 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Last year, it was a modification of his open batting stance -- one that resembled that of Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche -- with the help of Danville hitting coach Mel Roberts that landed him Player of the Year honors in both the Appalachian League and the Rookie Level.
"I would lie if I said it wasn't a surprise," Campbell said of his success last season. "But it's about adjustments. I knew I had the ability, I just didn't know how soon it was going to come."
After leading the Appalachian League in almost every offensive category last season, Campbell hasn't dominated the South Atlantic League in the same fashion. Campbell said he believes that his decrease in offensive power numbers is a result of tougher competition at an advanced level. But it's tougher competition that he is certain he will overcome.
"It's a different league, pitching's better," Campbell said. "Here it's more fastball-oriented. Every league has something different to offer. By the time you get to the big leagues, you've been through every league that is different, and hopefully you have an idea."
Despite the new league, Campbell's numbers are impressive and have him well on his way to breaking some team offensive records. He is three home runs and 16 RBIs away from setting new Rome Braves batting marks.
Perhaps the only obstacle in Campbell's way toward these season records is his health. His season has been interrupted with a trip to the disabled list on July 14 with a back sprain. He is expected to fully recover in time to come off the DL by the end of the month.
With a few more years to sharpen his defensive skills and to perfect his offensive approach, Campbell could be headed toward the Majors. Although Campbell hasn't been approached about it, a move to second base could also be a possibility for the 6-foot, 195-pound Campbell who has a smaller stature than the average Major-League third baseman.
Campbell's size and Atlanta's depth on the left side of the infield make the move a possibility. But for now, the move is nothing more than a thought.
Although Campbell said he would welcome a chance to get back to a middle infield position, right now he is concentrating on developing the skills and reflexes to further his journey through Atlanta's Minor League system as a third baseman.
"After seeing Frenchy [Jeff Francoeur] and [Brian] McCann come up [last year], it gives everybody in the Minor Leagues a little more hope or incentive just to play a little bit better knowing that 21-, 22-year-olds can be up there," Campbell said. "And I'll play at whatever position can get me there and keep me there."
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
ATLANTA -- Eric Campbell's journey through the Minors has been an adjustment. Well, it's been more like a journey of adjustments.
Last year, it was the batting stance; this year, it's his defensive position. The recently-converted third baseman has spent his first season for the Class A Rome Braves learning to manage the hot corner.
It's been a slow and frustrating process, he said, but one that he is determined to master.
Having handled the shortstop position for his entire playing career, Campbell was drafted with third base as a possibility when Atlanta selected him with the 71st overall pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. Campbell played shortstop last year in his first full Minor League season before he started his transition to third at the beginning of this year.
"I think it's a harder job, harder demand," said Campbell, who was ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Braves organization at the end of last season. "Being in the middle of the field, you can see the ball a lot better. [Third base] is more of a reaction. I don't think I've found a spot yet where I'm comfortable at all times."
Campbell is still searching for consistency at his new position, and it has not come as naturally as he had expected. Through the first 89 games this season, Campbell had 14 errors, partly due to a slower reaction time that plagued Campbell at his new position.
"If I can be consistent in the field, mentally, I think I'm going to be ready hitting-wise because that's always been my strong point," Campbell said. "So if I can get my fielding down consistent enough to be like a Chipper Jones without the experience he has, then yeah, that'll be the big thing."
The 20-year-old third baseman is right about his offensive productivity -- it has been a bragging point for Campbell and for the Braves. Campbell is following up his stellar Appalachian League season with a solid year for Rome, where he is batting .286 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs.
Last year, it was a modification of his open batting stance -- one that resembled that of Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche -- with the help of Danville hitting coach Mel Roberts that landed him Player of the Year honors in both the Appalachian League and the Rookie Level.
"I would lie if I said it wasn't a surprise," Campbell said of his success last season. "But it's about adjustments. I knew I had the ability, I just didn't know how soon it was going to come."
After leading the Appalachian League in almost every offensive category last season, Campbell hasn't dominated the South Atlantic League in the same fashion. Campbell said he believes that his decrease in offensive power numbers is a result of tougher competition at an advanced level. But it's tougher competition that he is certain he will overcome.
"It's a different league, pitching's better," Campbell said. "Here it's more fastball-oriented. Every league has something different to offer. By the time you get to the big leagues, you've been through every league that is different, and hopefully you have an idea."
Despite the new league, Campbell's numbers are impressive and have him well on his way to breaking some team offensive records. He is three home runs and 16 RBIs away from setting new Rome Braves batting marks.
Perhaps the only obstacle in Campbell's way toward these season records is his health. His season has been interrupted with a trip to the disabled list on July 14 with a back sprain. He is expected to fully recover in time to come off the DL by the end of the month.
With a few more years to sharpen his defensive skills and to perfect his offensive approach, Campbell could be headed toward the Majors. Although Campbell hasn't been approached about it, a move to second base could also be a possibility for the 6-foot, 195-pound Campbell who has a smaller stature than the average Major-League third baseman.
Campbell's size and Atlanta's depth on the left side of the infield make the move a possibility. But for now, the move is nothing more than a thought.
Although Campbell said he would welcome a chance to get back to a middle infield position, right now he is concentrating on developing the skills and reflexes to further his journey through Atlanta's Minor League system as a third baseman.
"After seeing Frenchy [Jeff Francoeur] and [Brian] McCann come up [last year], it gives everybody in the Minor Leagues a little more hope or incentive just to play a little bit better knowing that 21-, 22-year-olds can be up there," Campbell said. "And I'll play at whatever position can get me there and keep me there."
Source: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/
